The Fixed Mindset Testing Culture in Math

This video explains how the current testing culture in math makes students afraid of making mistakes and enforces a fixed mindset.



Video Summary

  • Constant testing focuses on right or wrong. This makes students afraid of making mistakes and discourages them from diving into material more deeply.
  • Timed tests convey that getting answers quickly is more important than fully understanding concepts and causes math anxiety.
  • For ideas on teaching automaticity and number sense, visit youcubed.org/category/teaching-ideas/number-sense/.
  • To see similar videos about growth mindset in math, sign up for Professor Jo Boaler’s course, How to Learn Math, and check out youcubed.org.
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Tags

Growth Mindset Assessment

Details

Grades:  Any

Subjects:  Math

Time of year:  Anytime

Class period:  Anytime

Related Practices

Weekly Grade Reflection
This practice helps clarify the grading process for students so they understand how their work is impacting their grade and what they can do to improve it.
Not Yet
Students are given a grade of NOT YET instead of a letter or number grade if work is not demonstrating mastery.
Self-assessment
Have students assess their progress towards learning goals.
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